Milwaukee, Wis. (April 9, 2018) – Three Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin hospitals were named a “2018 Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer civil rights organization.
Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, and St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend all earned top scores of 100 for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) inclusion as measured by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 11th Healthcare Equality Index.
Facilities are scored on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment of LGBTQ patients, visitors and staff members. In this year’s survey, 626 health care facilities participated nationwide, including 10 Wisconsin facilities. The facilities scoring 100 met all key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents, and LGBTQ health education for staff members.
The three Froedtert & MCW hospitals earned top marks for meeting non-discrimination and training criteria measured by the HRC Foundation’s Equality Index, and for an assessment of 30 best practices in caring for LGBTQ patients and their families. The HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index is a survey that recognizes health care organizations doing the best work in enabling and providing equal care for LGBTQ Americans.
“Members of the LGBTQ community, like all people, deserve exceptional care delivered with dignity and respect,” said Andres Gonzalez, vice president and chief diversity officer for the Froedtert & MCW health network. “This recognition is reflective of our hardwired commitment to equality and inclusiveness to all patients entering our hospital. It’s in our character and culture— it’s who we are.”
Survey participants were scored in four criteria that represented how many LGBTQ-focused policies and best practices they had implemented in key areas: foundational elements of patient-centered care, patient services and support, employee benefits and policies, and patient and community engagement. Participants that received the maximum score in each section for a total score of 100 points earned “2018 Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” status.
The Froedtert & MCW health network’s Diversity and Inclusion Program supports a commitment to value and celebrate the wealth of diversity reflected in patients, their families, staff and communities.
The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin regional health network is a partnership between Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin supporting a shared mission of patient care, innovation, medical research and education. Our health network operates eastern Wisconsin’s only academic medical center and adult Level I Trauma Center at Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, an internationally recognized training and research center engaged in thousands of clinical trials and studies. The Froedtert & MCW health network, which includes five hospitals, more than 1,600 physicians and nearly 40 health centers and clinics, draws patients from throughout the Midwest and the nation. In our most recent fiscal year, outpatient visits exceeded 1.1 million, inpatient admissions to our hospitals were 49,250 and visits to our network physicians totaled 932,000. For more information, visit froedtert.com.
Kathleen S. Sieja, APR
Media Relations Director
Phone: 414-805-2618 Fax: 414-805-7937
Personal Pager: 414-314-6916
Media Pager: 414-314-5757
E-mail: Kathy.Sieja@froedtert.com
